Bill Labich Email & Phone Number

Holyoke, Ma, Us

Responsible for the strategic direction of and overseeing all aspects of Highstead's Conservation Program including all events and involvement in ongoing networks, partnerships, and initiatives especially the Wildlands, Woodlands, Farmlands and Communities Initiative; cultivating relationships with leaders in and outside of the conservation community; supervising, mentoring, and elevating the Conservationist and others who co-facilitate the Regional Conservation Partnership Network, Northeast Forest Network, and the Northern Appalachian Trail Landscape Partnership; researching and writing about collaborative landscape conservation; advising regional, national and international conservation organizations in the development of private-public regional conservation partnerships (RCPs); resourcing RCPs in the RCP Network (Northeastern US); supporting the field of collaborative landscape conservation through participation in regional and national networks of RCP-like networks and nested networks; and engaging with other network leaders in the development of cross-sector support for integrated and Just land use at scale.

I lead and co-lead a number of initiatives, programs, networks, and partnerships focused on advancing the pace and practice of large landscape conservation in New England, eastern New York, and beyond. These include:The Regional Conservation Partnership (RCP) Network (www.wildlandsandwoodlands.org/RCPNetwork) and www.rcpnetwork.org Northeast Forest Network(http://www.standupforforests.org)LI Sound Watershed RCP Program - Forest Land Protection Tech Committee (http://www.lisw-rcpp.com/forests.html) - Healthy Forest Reserve Program, Pooled Match InventoryNorthern Appalachian Trail Landscape Partnership I also serve leadership roles in the following groups:Wildlands and Woodlands Initiative (http://www.wildlandsandwoodlands.org)Academics for Land Protection in New England (http://www.wildlandsandwoodlands.org/ALPINE)Network for Landscape Conservation (http://landscapeconservation.org/)Appalachian Trail Landscape Partnership (http://www.appalachiantrail.org/home/conservation/landscape-protection/2017/10/14/appalachian-trail-conservancy-criticizes-yesterday-s-decision-by-the-federal-energy-regulatory-commission-to-certify-the-mountain-valley-pipeline-project) Central Appalachia Action Program (RCP Network)I also write about Regional Conservation Partnerships, cross-boundary collaboration, and large landscape conservation (e.g. Regional Conservation Partnership Handbook). See publications below for descriptions and downloads.

Coordinated a network of 40+ Regional Conservation Partnerships and working groups to help this community advance the pace and practice of large landscape conservation in New England and eastern New York. Mentored partnership leaders. Managed multi-state, multi-RCP conservation initiatives like the public-private NY-NE Family Forest Owner Outreach Initiative for the North East State Foresters Association (2011-2014), the RCP Catalyst Program (capital campaign training) (2014-2015) and the Hudson to Housatonic Conservation Initiative (2014-2016).Researched and wrote about Regional Conservation Partnerships, cross-boundary collaboration, and large landscape conservation.

Research and writing on the Wildlands and Woodlands Vision, and convening members of the Wildlands and Woodlands Partnership.

Oversaw budgets, supervised staff, and facilitated comprehensive planning processes for towns and for the Franklin County region dealing with community economic development, natural resources conservation, community facilities, housing, natural hazard mitigation, homeland security, drinking water supplies, etc.

Developed a volunteer-driven community forest stewardship program for ten foundation forests; produced regional educational cross-sector workshops for landowners, foresters, and land trusts.

Developed a model program for engaging citizen-volunteers in the conservation and stewardship of Foundation Forests; provided professional consulting forestry services to over 100 clients in Southeastern Massachusetts.

Fairfield, Ct, Us

Supervised staff and volunteers in carrying out land stewardship activities in sanctuaries across Connecticut.

Helped ten community groups develop income-generating, low-elevation coffee tree nurseries. Taught 350 young people, in five schools, how to build and care for vegetable, timber and fruit-tree nurseries.

Mrp, Regional Planning

Bs, Forestry, Forest Management